Jury convicts 2 from Detroit police of robbing drug dealers

DETROIT – A Detroit police lieutenant and an officer have been convicted of robbing drug dealers and stealing drugs and money obtained in police searches.

The U.S. attorney's office in Detroit said Lt. David Hansberry and Officer Bryan Watson were found guilty by a jury on Monday after a five-week trial. They were convicted on charges of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by extortion and robbery, but acquitted of several other charges.

The conspiracy conviction carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Sentencing is set for Nov. 11.

Hansberry and Watson have denied wrongdoing.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig said in a statement the men "betrayed their oath and their fellow officers."

A third man, Kevlin Brown, was acquitted of one count of interference with commerce by robbery and extortion.